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Wedge says smaller Safeco not a concern

4/13/13: Mariners manager Eric Wedge talks about new Safeco Field dimensions in 2013 and how it's something he doesn't pay attention to

By Doug Miller
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MLB.com |

SEATTLE -- Thursday's matinee against the Tigers marked the end of the first homestand of the 2013 season, and Mariners manager Eric Wedge was asked if he felt the new, slightly smaller dimensions of Safeco Field affected the games and the mindsets of his hitters.

As far as how the production of his offense was concerned, Wedge didn't see any difference.

"It's zero impact," Wedge said. "The way we're going to be a better offensive club is with our players and them doing what they need to do. It maybe comes into play a little bit in the summer. The air density, or whatever you want to call it, is still the same. A couple balls last night were hit pretty good and you'd think, 'Well, if they moved in the fences, they'd go,' and, well, guess what? They still didn't go."

Wedge said there isn't any psychological difference with the fences closer in some areas of the outfield.

"It's one more thing to check off the list that we don't have to worry about or hear about," Wedge said. "It's not in the back of your mind anymore. It should allow us to focus on performing and hitting, and I think it will.

"It's a fair ballpark. It still probably edges on the pitchers' side of things, just because of where we are. But that's OK, too. It's good."

Doug Miller is a senior writer for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DougMillerMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.